Chris Spends 5 Years Figuring out How to Choose the Right E-commerce App Development Company: 7 Key Factors to Consider

With the advent of the Internet and the number of digital buyers reaching up to 2 billion globally, developing an E-commerce app has become vital for both small and large-scale brick-and-mortar stores. Seeing this incredible growth, many retail store owners are turning to E-commerce app development but are facing numerous issues when it comes to finding the right E-commerce app development partner. Recently, I met one of the retail store owners, named Chris, who was having a hard time taking his brick-and-mortar store online.

My name is Gaurav Khanna, and I am the CEO of APPWRK IT Solutions Pvt. Ltd. When I got to know Chris’ situation, I found out that he tried outsourcing multiple companies around the globe to develop an E-commerce app for his store, but all of his efforts ended up in vain. After a detailed discussion, I helped him figure out the right E-commerce app development approach, from assisting him in understanding the E-commerce app development market to choosing the right app development partner.

Let’s find out how I helped him choose the right E-commerce app development company.

Chris: Hi, Gaurav. I’ve been trying to move my offline store online for the past five years. I have invested so much time and resources into developing an app. I want to figure out where I am going wrong. But before getting into the nitty-gritty, l want you to explain what an E-commerce app is.

Gaurav: I am glad to help, Chris. An E-commerce app is software that allows customers to browse and purchase products from an online store using their smartphones and computers. It is just like your physical store but in a digital space, making it accessible 24/7 to consumers.

Chris: Understood. But I see so many types of apps out there. Are there different types of E-commerce apps, or is there just one standard model?

Gourav: That’s a good question. There are a few types of E-commerce apps that depend on your business model. Let’s take your business as an example, Chris. What does your store sell, and who are your primary customers?

Chris: I sell home decor items, and my customers are usually individuals looking to decorate their houses.

Gourav: Got it. Since you are selling directly to customers, you should focus on developing a B2C E-commerce app. Let me explain the main types of E-commerce apps: 

• B2B (business to business): These apps are specifically designed for business-to-business transactions; here, companies sell to other businesses.
• B2C(business to consumer): B2C apps are tailored for businesses that cater directly to the end consumers. This allows customers to purchase products from anywhere in the world at any time, improving their shopping experience.
• C2C (consumer to consumer): C2C apps provide a platform for individuals to sell items online to other users. They basically facilitate commerce between users instead of an established business. One of the famous examples is eBay. 

That is why you should focus on the B2C E-commerce app for your store.

Chris: That clears up a lot of things. But after all the struggles that I’ve been through, why should I even bother to develop an E-commerce app? My store is doing great as it is.

Gourav: I completely understand, Chris. Your store may be thriving, but expanding online offers substantial benefits.
Like with the growing number of smartphone users, making an E-commerce app can significantly extend your reach. You will no longer be limited to local customers, and your E-commerce app will help you connect with millions of buyers globally. Shopping on the app is much more convenient as they can buy products anytime from anywhere without having to visit the store physically. 

In fact, 67% of global E-commerce sales come from mobile devices.

This will not only improve your sales but also provide a personalized experience to customers, enhancing their satisfaction and increasing retention rates.

Another reason to move online is that consumers’ expectations have shifted towards online shopping. An E-commerce app allows you to meet the demands of the consumers and stay ahead of the competitors who are still relying on traditional retail methods.

You can also track customer behavior and collect data, which can help you make better business decisions.

Chris: I get it, but I am still not convinced, as understanding the intricacies of the app development process can be a little jarring, even for veteran business owners. In your opinion, what processes should an e-commerce app development service provider follow when developing an app?

Gourav: I understand; let me break it down for you. When it comes to developing an E-commerce app, the services should cover everything from planning and consultation to maintenance and support. There are some steps that they should follow to help to create your E-commerce app:

1. Planning and Consultation: I believe planning can make or break an E-commerce app development project. A reputable company will first start by properly understanding your business goals and requirements and lay out a plan tailored to your business needs.

2. Identify the niche: After thoroughly understanding your needs and requirements, the company should help you select a niche, such as the products you want to sell in your online store and who your target audience is. The company will research all the demographics of the target audience, from their spending patterns to their mobile usage.

3. Competitor analysis: The company should research the competitors to identify strengths, weaknesses, market gaps, and opportunities to help you develop an app with better features and gain a competitive advantage.

4. UI/UX Design: I know that a great shopping experience comes from a well-designed application. An experienced company will focus on creating a user-friendly and visually appealing interface that offers a seamless experience on all devices. This enhances the overall user experience and satisfaction, which ultimately drives more conversions.

5. Platform and development: The app development company should also help you figure out the best platform for your E-commerce store. According to me, the right choice will depend on your specific needs, customizations, and budget.

6. Testing and quality assurance: Before the app goes live, you need to ensure that everything works seamlessly, which is why a development company should be able to test your app thoroughly on different devices and operating systems to catch bugs or any other issues. Testing makes your app reliable and works as intended.

7. Deployment and Launch: The most important step after creating an app is launching it on the App Store or Play Store. The deployment process can vary depending on the technology stack used and the deployment strategy chosen.

8. Maintenance and Support: I know that most business owners think that the work ends as soon as the app is up and running. But they often forget that apps need continuous maintenance post-launch to fix any security issues, roll out updates, and also to add new features. Keeping your app up to date is key to staying ahead of the competition.  

Chris: That was pretty detailed and informative. However, I still believe most business owners make the mistake of following a generic development process. What are some of the best practices that I should keep in mind as we move through the development process?

Gourav: Absolutely. Let me tell you the three best practices that you should follow when it comes to developing an E-commerce app.

Security: When you are dealing with sensitive customer data like payment details and home addresses, security is non-negotiable. You will need to implement secure payment gateways and comply strictly with data protection laws. This will keep your data safe from breaches and increase trust between customers.

Scalability: You may think that your app doesn’t need to be scalable at the start, but with time, the number of users will grow. You wouldn’t want your app to only work for now—you need an app that grows with your business. Whether it’s handling more users, expanding the product list, or adding new features, your app needs to be flexible enough to scale up without slowing down. It is better to plan for scalability in the beginning so that your app keeps running smoothly later on. 

Essential features: Lastly, there are some features that are crucial for online storefronts, providing the maximum value to your customers.

Your app should definitely have 

• Search functionality
• Admin panel
• The ability to filter products
• The ability to add products to a wish list
• A dedicated and working payment system
• Attractive user profiles that load quickly
• Smart authorisation
• Clear checkout process
• Easy registration
• Push notifications

Chris: I definitely overlooked these earlier, particularly security. So, let’s get to the heart of the matter: how to choose the right E-commerce app development company for my business. What, in your opinion, are the main factors to consider when choosing an E-commerce company?

Gourav: With so many options on the market, business owners often get confused about where to start and what to look for. I have a list of factors that you need to consider when choosing the right E-commerce app development company. Let’s start with the number one factor.

Experience: I think the first thing you should check is the company’s experience. An experienced partner is more likely to understand your needs and offer insights tailored to your domain. Besides, a company with a strong track record will also be aware of the challenges involved in building an application and will ultimately be better equipped to tackle all the issues along the way.

Chris: Definitely, I would like to work with a team that has proven experience. What’s next on the list?

Portfolio: Apart from checking their experience, I believe one should go through the company’s portfolio. By checking out the portfolio, you will get a good view of the company’s previous projects across different industries, reflecting their ability to deliver diverse and high-quality E-commerce solutions. This will give you insights into their capabilities and how well they align with your vision.

Chris: Yes, I agree. Checking their experience and portfolio will help me understand how well their work aligns with my project before committing. It will give me a better idea of what to expect. What else should I be paying attention to?

Client Reviews: Well, you should also check the client reviews and testimonials. You can look for client reviews on Google and Clutch and explore testimonials on the company’s website. This will help you examine their reputation and avoid any recurring issues. A strong reputation indicates reliability and expertise, which is crucial when making an important investment decision.

Chris: Okay, checking reputation seems very important when it comes to choosing the right E-commerce development company to avoid any future issues. But what about finding the right platform for my business?

Platform Expertise: Absolutely, finding a platform that is tailored to your business needs is crucial. That is why it is essential to assess the company’s expertise in various platforms and technologies so that you can find a company with the right tech stack for your project. It is important to build a scalable, secure, and efficient online store, and they should be able to advise you on the platform that is the best match for your business model and meets both current and future scalability requirements.

Chris: That is true. I want a solution that grows with my business, not something that will outgrow in just a few months.

Communication and Support: Exactly. Beyond that, you should focus on communication and support. Maintaining a clear line of communication, providing regular updates, and keeping transparency throughout the development process. It ensures that the issues are resolved instantly without any delays.

You should also look for ongoing support. After the launch of your E-commerce platform, it will need maintenance and updates, so a partner who is committed to the long term is the right choice.

Chris: I also believe that communication is the key to a successful partnership. It is important that there is clear communication, especially if I need to make changes.

Project delivery timeline: Absolutely, you should find out the E-commerce app development company’s commitment to delivery timelines. A reliable company will provide realistic, well-structured timelines covering all development phases. Their dedication to completing the project by the scheduled timeline shows commitment to delivering a high-quality product without unnecessary delays.

Chris: That is true. I faced many issues regarding this in my previous outsourced company. But what if they are in a different time zone? How will I know about the developers’ working hours?

Gaurav: Good point, Chris! You should inquire about their working hours and how they manage and handle communication across different time zones. A reliable company will have processes in place for regular updates and meetings that fit your schedule.

Chris: Understood. Now, the big question is, what about costs? What is the best way to navigate pricing and budget?

Budget and pricing: This is one of the most asked questions, but the answer is quite simple. When it comes to making such a huge investment, it is important to look for companies that offer transparent pricing. A reputable company will always give you a detailed breakdown of costs for design, development, testing, and ongoing support. This will help you understand what you are paying for and avoid any unexpected expenses later.

Chris: Transparency with the budget is something that I value. It builds trust between the company and the client. I have learned about this the hard way, so that’s definitely something I will keep in mind. Apart from this, I have another question about the red flags I should avoid when looking for an E-commerce development company. 

Gourav: You should be cautious of companies that overpromise but offer rock-bottom prices or avoid giving clear details about their process. Other than that, if a promise of an unrealistic timeline or vague responses is provided, it might not be reliable for your project. If you want to choose the right E-commerce app development company, make sure to keep these warning signs in mind and move on from such companies.

Chris: This has been a great discussion, Gourav. By the way, have you worked on similar projects? Can you share an example?

Gourav: Actually, I have helped a number of retail stores like yours. Recently, I created an E-commerce app for a company where the store owner wanted to expand his reach to a global audience beyond local customers, but he was facing issues with their platform, which was too small and had limited scalability. With the help of cutting-edge technology and time-tested methodology, we built a custom B2C app with a visually appealing user interface with intuitive navigation and integrated secure payment gateways. Within just a few months, they saw a huge boost in sales and successfully expanded their reach to global consumers.

Chris: That’s impressive! Gourav. I feel more confident now about starting my search. I forgot to ask about your company and the services you offer.

Gourav: My company’s name is APPWRK IT Solutions, and we offer a wide array of E-commerce app development services at affordable rates. We focus on creating engaging E-commerce apps that drive sales and customer satisfaction, all providing you phenomenal value for money.